Multiple inlet filtration system

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and a method are provided for a multiple inlet air box to communicate an airstream through an air filter to an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The multiple inlet air box is comprised of a housing that supports the air filter within an interior of the housing. A mount portion within the housing fixedly receives a base of the air filter. Multiple air inlets couple with corresponding air inlet ports of the vehicle to direct the airstream into the multiple inlet air box. A duct directs the airstream from the multiple air inlets to the interior of the housing. A conduit communicates the airstream from an interior of the air filter to the air intake duct of the internal combustion engine.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of and claims benefit to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/173,489 filed on Oct. 29, 2018, whichapplications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The field of the present disclosure generally relates to filtrationdevices. More particularly, the field of the present disclosure relatesto an apparatus and a method for a multiple inlet air box which exhibitsimproved air flow and may be coupled with a reusable air filter so as toimprove engine performance and fuel economy.

BACKGROUND

An air filter designed to remove particulate is generally a devicecomposed of fibrous materials. These fibrous materials may remove solidparticulates such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from the air. Airfilters are used in applications where air quality is important, notablyin building ventilation systems and with engines.

Air filters may be used in automobiles, trucks, tractors, locomotives,and other vehicles that use internal combustion engines. Air filters maybe used with gasoline engines, diesel engines, or other engines that runon fossil fuels or other combustible substances. Air filters may be usedwith engines in which combustion is intermittent, such as four-strokeand two-stroke piston engines, as well as other types of engines thattake in air so that a combustible substance may be burned. For example,air filters may be used with some gas turbines. Filters may also be usedwith air compressors or in other devices that take in air.

Filters may be made from pleated paper, foam, cotton, spun fiberglass,or other known filter materials. Generally, the air intakes of internalcombustion engines and compressors tend to use paper, foam, or cottonfilters. Some filters use an oil bath. Air filters for internalcombustion engines prevent abrasive particulate matter from entering thecombustion cylinders of the engine, wherein the particulate matter wouldcause mechanical wear and oil contamination. Many fuel injected enginesutilize a flat panel, pleated paper filter element. This filter usuallyis placed inside an enclosed, plastic box connected to a throttle bodyby way of ductwork. Vehicles that use carburetors or throttle body fuelinjection systems typically use a cylindrical air filter positionedabove the carburetor or the throttle body.

A drawback to conventional air boxes that require flat panel paperfilters is that as particular matter builds up in the filter, air flowthrough the filter becomes restricted. Such a restricted air flowgenerally leads to a reduction in engine performance, such as a decreasein engine power output and a greater fuel consumption. Moreover, as thepaper filter becomes increasingly clogged, pressure below the filterdecreases while the atmospheric air pressure outside the filter remainsthe same. When the difference in pressure becomes too great,contaminants may be drawn through the paper filter directly into theengine. Thus, the ability of the paper filter to protect the engine fromcontamination and internal damage tends to decrease near the end of thefilter's service life. Typically, paper air filters are removed from thevehicle and discarded, and a new paper air filter is then installed.Considering that there are millions of vehicles throughout the world,the volume of discarded air filters that could be eliminated fromlandfills is a staggering number.

Another drawback to conventional air boxes is that they typically drawair through a tortuous path of hoses or ductwork before the air entersthe intake of the engine. In some cases, the air box is a greater sourceof air restriction than is the paper filter. Similar to a contaminatedair filter, a restrictive air box decreases engine performance and fueleconomy. What is needed, therefore, is an air box which exhibitsimproved air flow and may be coupled with a reusable air filter so as toimprove engine performance and fuel economy.

SUMMARY

An apparatus and a method are provided for a multiple inlet air boxconfigured to communicate an airstream through an air filter to an airintake duct of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The multipleinlet air box is comprised of a housing that supports the air filterwithin an interior of the housing. A mount portion comprising thehousing fixedly receives a base of the air filter. Multiple air inletsare configured to couple with corresponding air inlet ports of thevehicle to direct the airstream into the multiple inlet air box. A ductconveys the airstream from the multiple inlets to the air filter withinthe interior of the housing. A conduit communicates the airstream froman interior of the air filter to the air intake duct of the internalcombustion engine.

In an exemplary embodiment, an air box configured to communicate anairstream through an air filter to an air intake duct of an internalcombustion engine of a vehicle comprises a housing configured to supportthe air filter within an interior of the housing; a duct configured todirect the airstream to the air filter; one or more air inlets to theduct that are configured to couple with one or more corresponding airinlet ports of the vehicle; and a conduit configured to communicate theairstream from an interior of the air filter to the air intake duct.

In another exemplary embodiment, either of the one or more air inletsmay be blocked to the airstream so as to facilitate coupling andoperation of the air box with the engine of a vehicle comprising onlyone corresponding air inlet port. In another exemplary embodiment, eachof the one or more air inlets comprises an opening having a size, shape,and orientation that substantially matches the size, shape, andorientation of the one or more corresponding air inlet ports to whicheach of the one or more air inlets is to be coupled. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the one or more air inlets are configured to beslightly larger than the one or more corresponding air inlet ports, suchthat the one or more air inlets may receive the one or morecorresponding air inlet ports. In another exemplary embodiment, the oneor more air inlets are configured to be substantially the same size asthe one or more corresponding air inlet ports, such that the one or moreair inlets may be aligned with, and pressed against the one or morecorresponding air inlet ports. In another exemplary embodiment, the oneor more air inlets are configured to be slightly smaller than the one ormore corresponding air inlet ports, such that the one or more air inletsmay be inserted into the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. Inanother exemplary embodiment, a specific configuration of the air inletsmay be varied so as to accommodate a particular make, model, andconfiguration of the engine for which the air box is to be utilized.

In another exemplary embodiment, a seal is disposed around a perimeteredge of each of the one or more air inlets so as to establish asubstantially air-leak resistant junction between the one or more airinlets and the one or more corresponding air inlet ports. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the seal is comprised of a molded pliable stripincluding a recess that is configured to receive the perimeter edge. Inanother exemplary embodiment, the molded pliable strip is comprised of across-sectional shape that is suitable to establish the substantiallyair-leak resistant junction. In another exemplary embodiment, the sealis comprised of pliable stripping that is configured to be disposedaround an interior of the perimeter edge, such that the pliablestripping fills a space between an interior of each of the one or moreair inlets and an exterior of the one or more corresponding air inletports. In another exemplary embodiment, the seal is comprised of pliablestripping that is configured to be disposed on an exterior of each ofthe one or more air inlets, such that the pliable stripping fills aspace between the exterior of each of the one or more air inlets and aninterior of the one or more corresponding air inlet ports.

In an exemplary embodiments, a method for an air box to communicate anairstream through an air filter to an air intake duct of an internalcombustion engine of a vehicle comprises configuring a housing tosupport the air filter within an interior of the housing; configuring aduct to direct the airstream to the air filter; forming one or more airinlets to the duct; providing a configuration and orientation to each ofthe one or more air inlets to facilitate coupling with one or morecorresponding air inlet ports of the vehicle; and extending a conduitfrom an interior of the air filter to the air intake duct.

In another exemplary embodiment, forming one or more air inlets furthercomprises disposing a seal around a perimeter edge of the one or moreair inlets so as to establish a substantially air-leak resistantjunction between the one or more air inlets and the one or morecorresponding air inlet ports. In another exemplary embodiment,providing a configuration and orientation further comprises configuringeither of the one or more air inlets to be blocked to the airstream soas to facilitate operation of the air box in a vehicle that lacks eitherof the one or more corresponding air inlet ports.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an upper perspective view of an exemplary embodimentof a multiple inlet air box in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a lower perspective view of the exemplary multipleinlet air box of FIG. 1 , according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an engine bay wherein anexemplary embodiment of a multiple inlet air box is coupled with anengine, according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the engine bay of FIG. 3 wherein themultiple inlet air box is coupled with air inlet ports disposed withinthe engine bay in accordance with the present disclosure.

While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Theinvention should be understood to not be limited to the particular formsdisclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. Itwill be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that theinvention disclosed herein may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “firstair inlet,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference shouldnot be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpretedthat the “first air inlet” is different than a “second air inlet.” Thus,the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specificdetails may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within thespirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” isdefined as meaning connected either directly to the component orindirectly to the component through another component. Further, as usedherein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for anynumerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerancethat allows the part or collection of components to function for itsintended purpose as described herein.

In general, the present disclosure describes an apparatus and a methodfor a multiple inlet air box configured to communicate an airstreamthrough an air filter to an air intake duct of an internal combustionengine of a vehicle. The multiple inlet air box is comprised of ahousing that is configured to support the air filter within an interiorof the housing. A mount portion is disposed within the housing andconfigured to fixedly receive a base of the air filter. Hardwarefasteners may be coupled with the base of the air filter to affix theair filter to an inner surface of the mount portion, forming a leakresistant coupling there between. A conduit is configured to communicatethe airstream from an interior of the air filter to the air intake ductof the internal combustion engine. One or more air inlets to theinterior of the housing are configured to couple with corresponding airinlet ports of the vehicle so as to direct the airstream into themultiple inlet air box. A duct passes the airstream from the air inletsto the interior of the housing. An opening disposed on a bottom portionof the housing is configured to receive either a flat panel to enclosethe interior of the housing or an electronic control unit (ECU) of thevehicle such that the ECU is placed into contact with the airstream andis cooled thereby.

Although embodiments of the invention may be described and illustratedherein in terms of a cone-shaped air filter, it should be understoodthat embodiments of this invention are not limited to the exact shapeillustrated, but rather may include a wide variety of generally enclosedshapes, such as cylindrical, circular, oval, round, curved, conical, orany other closed perimeter shape, that provide a relatively largesurface area in a given volume of the filter. Moreover, embodiments asdescribed herein are not limited to use as internal combustion enginefilters, but rather may have applicability in other filtration systemsin which a large volume of air requires treatment.

FIG. 1 illustrates an upper perspective view of an exemplary embodimentof a multiple inlet air box 100 in accordance with the presentdisclosure. The multiple inlet air box 100 is comprised of one or moreair inlets 104 that are connected to a housing 108 by way of a duct 112.The duct 112 is configured to communicate an airstream 116 enteringthrough the air inlets 104 into an interior 120 of the housing 108. Asbest illustrated in FIG. 2 , an air filter 124 disposed within theinterior 120 is configured to remove particulate matter and contaminantsthat may be flowing with the airstream 116 before the airstream isdirected through a conduit 128 to an air intake duct of the internalcombustion engine. The multiple inlet air box 100 generally is of anenclosed variety and is configured to improve movement of the airstream116 through the air filter 124 disposed within the interior 120 of thehousing 108. Preferably, the interior 120 is characterized by smoothsurfaces and rounded edges so as to decrease turbulence and airresistance through the multiple inlet air box 100, thereby improvingengine performance beyond that otherwise possible with conventional airboxes.

The housing 108 and the duct 112 preferably are comprised of a materialthat is sufficiently durable and temperature resistant to retain theirconfigurations during installation and operation when coupled with theair intake duct of the engine. In some embodiments, the housing 108 andduct 112 may be formed as a single component by way of injectionmolding. In some embodiments, the housing 108 and the duct 112 may beformed as separate components that may be coupled together duringinstallation of the multiple inlet air box 100 into a vehicle. It isenvisioned that either or both of the housing and the duct 112 may beformed by way of injection molding.

In some embodiments, one or more supports may be disposed on the housing108 and the duct 112 so as to fixate the multiple inlet air box 100within the engine bay of a vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 1-2 , rear supports 132 are configured to be coupled with, orfastened to, the interior of an engine bay 136 of a vehicle, as shown inFIGS. 3-4 , such that the conduit 128 may be coupled with an air intakeduct 140 of an engine 144. In some embodiments, the rear supports 132may be configured to couple the multiple inlet air box 100 directly withthe engine 144 of the vehicle. It is envisioned that the rear supports132 may include any suitable fastening means to facilitate installingthe multiple inlet air box 100 in the engine bay 136, such as, by way ofexample, suitably designed holes, brackets, molded shaped portions,protrusions, extensions, straps, hardware fasteners, or other anysimilar device for holding the multiple inlet air box 100 fixed withinthe engine bay 136. As will be appreciated, the particular fasteningmeans will vary according to the specific make, model, and type of thevehicle with which the multiple inlet air box 100 is to be used.

The housing 108 is configured to support the air filter 124 and providean interface between the air filter and the air intake duct 140 of theengine 144. A front side of the housing 108 is comprised of a mountportion 148 that is configured to facilitate coupling the air filter 124with an interior surface of the front side of the housing. In someembodiments, the air filter 124 may be of a flangeless variety, and thusthe base may include a compressible seal. In the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 1-2 , the mount portion 148 is comprised of a flat surface thatreceives the seal of the air filter 124. A multiplicity of fasteners152, or other suitable hardware, may be used to compress the sealbetween the base of the air filter 124 and the flat surface, therebyestablishing an air-leak resistant connection between an interior of theair filter 124 and the mount portion 148. Further details aboutcomponents comprising the base of the air filter 124, including sealsdisposed thereon, are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/276,502, entitled “Flangeless Air Filter,” filed on Sep. 26, 2016,the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. In someembodiments, however, the mount portion 148 may be comprised of asuitably sized flange or conduit that extends into the interior 120 andis configured to be received into an opening in the base of the airfilter 124. It is contemplated that the mount portion 148 may becomprised of any coupling means suitable for forming a reasonablyair-leak resistant connection between the air filter 124 and the mountportion 148.

With reference to FIG. 2 , the mount portion 148 places the interior ofthe air filter 124 into fluid communication with the conduit 128. Theconduit 128 is configured to convey the airstream 116 from the interiorof the air filter 124 to the air intake duct 140 of the engine 144. Theconduit 128 is comprised of a transition 156 and a flange 160 that isconfigured to receive the air intake duct 140. Preferably, thetransition 156 provides a molded connection between the flange 160 andthe housing 108, although other forms of connections may be apparent tothose skilled in the art. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 , the transition156 generally positions a longitudinal dimension of the flange 160 at anoffset with respect to a center of the mount portion 148. In someembodiments, the transition 156 may position the longitudinal dimensionof the flange 160 at an angle relative to the housing 108. In someembodiments, the angle between the conduit 128 and the housing 108 maybe 90-degrees. In general, however, the value of the angle between theconduit 128 and the housing 108 will depend upon the particular vehicle,as well as the specific configuration of the engine, for which themultiple inlet air box 100 is to be utilized. As such, any value of theangle and the offset of the conduit 128 may be incorporated into themultiple inlet air box 100 without detracting from the presentdisclosure.

The flange 160 comprises an opening 164 that is configured to conductthe airstream 116 from the interior of the air filter 124 to the airintake duct 140. It should be understood that the flange 160 has aconfiguration and an exterior diameter, and the opening 164 has an innerdiameter that are suitable for coupling with the air intake duct 140 ofthe engine 144. As shown in FIGS. 1-2 , exterior diameter of thetransition 160 may taper along the length of the conduit 128 to asuitable exterior diameter of the flange 160. Moreover, in someembodiments, the flange 160 may comprise any of various additionalridges, raised portions, or other surface features so as to optimallyengage with the air intake duct 140. The specific configuration of theflange 160 and the inner diameter of the opening 164 will depend uponthe particular make, model, and engine configuration for which themultiple inlet air box 100 is to be utilized, and thus a wide variety ofconfigurations and diameters may be incorporated into the conduit 128,without limitation.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4 , each of the air inlets 104 is configuredto be coupled with an air inlet port 168 disposed within the engine bay136. As will be recognized, the air inlet ports 168 generally extendthrough the vehicle to a source of external air, such as a front of thevehicle. Each air inlet 104 comprises an opening having a size, shape,and orientation that substantially match the size, shape, andorientation of the particular air inlet port 168 to which the air inlet104 is to be coupled. In some embodiments, the air inlets 104 may beconfigured to be slightly larger than the air inlet ports 168, such thatthe air inlets 104 may receive the air inlet ports 168 into an interiorof the air inlets. In some embodiments, the air inlets 104 may beconfigured to be substantially the same size as the air inlet ports 168,such that the air inlets 104 may be aligned with, and pressed againstthe air inlet ports 168. Still, in some embodiments, the air inlets 104may be configured with a size and shape that is slightly smaller thanthe size and shape of the air inlet ports 168, such that the air inlets104 may be inserted into the interior of the air inlet ports 168. It iscontemplated that any of various suitable hardware fasteners may beutilized to couple the air inlets 104 with the air inlet ports 168. Itis further contemplated that any of various additional bends, ridges,raised portions, or other surface features may be incorporated into theair inlets 104 so as to optimally engage with the air inlet ports 168 ofthe vehicle. As such, the specific configuration of the air inlets 104will depend upon the particular make, model, and configuration of theengine 144 for which the multiple inlet air box 100 is to be utilized,without limitation, and without deviating beyond the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 , a seal 172 is disposedaround a perimeter edge of each of the air inlets 104. The seal 172serves to establish a substantially air-leak resistant junction betweenthe air inlet port 168 and the air inlet 104. In some embodiments, theseal 172 is comprised of a molded pliable strip that may be pressed ontothe perimeter edge of the air inlet 104, as shown in FIGS. 1-2 . Themolded pliable strip may include a recess that is configured to fixedlyreceive the perimeter edge of the air inlet 104, such that the seal 172remain fixed to the perimeter of the air inlet. The seal 172 may becomprised of any cross-sectional shape that is suitable for sealing thejunction between the air inlet 104 and the air inlet port 168.

In some embodiments, the seal 172 may be comprised of pliable strippingthat is configured to be disposed between an interior of the perimeteredge of the air inlet 104 and an exterior of the air inlet port 168. Thepliable stripping may be affixed to either the air inlet 104 or the airinlet port 168 by way of a suitable adhesive or any of variousfasteners. In some embodiments, wherein the air inlets 104 areconfigured to be received into the air inlet ports 168, the pliablestripping may be affixed between the interior of the air inlet port 168and the exterior of the air inlet 104.

It should be understood that the number of air inlets 104 comprising themultiple inlet air box 100 is not to be limited to two air inlets, asshown in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 . Although somevehicles include two air inlet ports 168, as shown herein, other similarvehicles may be limited to solely either one of the two air inlet ports168, discussed herein. It is contemplated, therefore, that either one ofthe air inlets 104 may be blocked to the airstream 116, as needed,during installing of the multiple inlet air box 100 into the engine bay136. Any of various mechanical devices may be used to block either ofthe air inlets 104, such as, by way of non-limiting example, baffles,end caps, slats, panels, and the like. In some embodiments, either oneof the air inlets 104 may be omitted from the multiple inlet air box 100so as to accommodate a target vehicle that lacks the corresponding airinlet port 168, without limitation.

In some embodiments, the housing 108 and the duct 112 may include any ofvarious surface features or contours that are configured to provideclearance with nearby components disposed on the engine 144 or elsewherewithin the engine bay 136. For example, as best shown in FIG. 2 , theduct 112 includes a longitudinal groove 178 configured to provideclearance for a hood prop (not shown) when the hood of the vehicle isclosed. Further, a front support 182 is disposed on the duct 112forwardly of the air inlets 104. The front support 182 is configured tobe received by a mounting portion 186 of the engine bay 136 so as tomaintain the air inlets 104 engaged with the air inlet ports 168, asdescribed herein. It should be understood that a wide variety of surfacefeatures, contoured portions, and suitable supports may be coupled withthe multiple inlet air box 100, without limitation.

It is contemplated that a wide variety of peripheral components may becoupled with the housing 108 and the duct 112, as needed. In someembodiments, for example, one or more sheet metal components may befastened onto locations of the duct 112 that are near heated componentswithin the engine bay 136, such as an exhaust manifold of the engine144. In some embodiments, one or more pliable pads may be strategicallylocated on the exterior of the housing 108 and the duct 112 so as tocushion contact with nearby components within the engine bay 136. It isenvisioned that the pliable pads may be comprised of rubber suitable toreduce vibrations occurring between the multiple inlet air box 100 andthe nearby components. In some embodiments, a latch mechanism may beinstalled within the longitudinal groove 178 and configured to retainthe hood prop when the hood of the vehicle is closed. It should beunderstood that a wide variety of components or devices may be coupledwith the multiple inlet air box 100 so as to facilitate operation of themultiple inlet air box within the engine bay 136 and in connection withthe engine 144, without limitation.

Referring again to FIG. 2 , the housing 108 comprises an opening 180into the interior 120. The opening 180 comprises an edge portion 184that is configured to be coupled with a flat panel (not shown) so as toenclose the interior 120. In some embodiments, the edge portion 184 maybe configured to be coupled with a flat surface of an engine controlunit (ECU), such that the flat surface of the ECU encloses the interior120. In such embodiments, the flat surface of the ECU may be placed intodirect contact with the airstream 116, such that the airstream transfersheat away from the ECU before being drawn through the air filter 124 andinto the air intake duct 140 of the engine 144. Further details aboutcoupling an ECU with the multiple inlet air box 100 so as to cool theECU are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,769,entitled “Engine Control Unit Cooling Air Box,” filed on Oct. 27, 2018,the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The edge portion 184 preferably is configured to receive a multiplicityof fasteners so as to fixedly attach either the ECU or the flat panel tothe housing 108. In some embodiments, a multiplicity of threaded holesmay be disposed in suitable locations within the edge portion 184 tothreadably receive the multiplicity of fasteners. Further, a suitablegasket or a seal may be disposed between the ECU or flat panel and theedge portion 184 so as to prevent outside air other the airstream 116from entering the interior 120. It should be understood, however, thatthe ECU or the flat panel may be fixedly coupled with any suitablesurface of the housing 108 by way of any of various fastening means,without limitation.

It is contemplated that the opening 180 facilitates installing andremoving the air filter 124 from the housing 108, as needed. Forexample, once the air filter 124 is dirty, the air filter may be removedfrom the housing and a new, clean air filter 124 may be installed. Atransparent portion 188, as shown in FIG. 1 , disposed on a top of thehousing 108 facilitates direct observation of the condition of the airfilter 124. In one embodiment, a method for removing the air filter 124comprises removing the above-mentioned flat panel or ECU from the edgeportion 184 to provide access to the interior 120 of the housing 108.The fasteners 152 may then be loosened to release the base of the airfilter 124 from the mount portion 148. Once the fasteners 152 areremoved, the air filter 124 may be removed from the interior 120 by wayof the opening 180.

Although the method for removing the air filter 124 generallyfacilitates replacing the air filter, when dirty, with a clean airfilter, it is contemplated that the method for removing the air filter124 is particularly advantageous for use with embodiments of the airfilter 124 that are configured to be periodically cleaned and reused.For example, in some embodiments, the air filter 124 may be comprised ofmultiple layers of cotton gauze that are treated with a filter oilcomposition that enhances the filtration properties of the air filter.It is contemplated that a practitioner may clean the air filter 124 byfirst removing from the air filter from the housing 108, as describedabove, and then applying a solvent to remove the filter oil from the airfilter 124. The practitioner may clean the air filter 124 by inserting awater hose through the base and into the interior of the air filter 124and spraying water so as to flush contaminants from the air filter.Further details about components comprising the air filter 124, as wellas details about the filter oil composition and periodic cleaning of theair filter, are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/181,678, entitled “Air Box With Integrated Filter Media,” filed onFeb. 16, 2014, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/701,163, entitled“Filter Oil Formulation,” filed on Apr. 30, 2015, the entirety of eachof which is incorporated herein by reference.

While the invention has been described in terms of particular variationsand illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the invention is not limited to the variations or figuresdescribed. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicatecertain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may bemodified and that such modifications are in accordance with thevariations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may beperformed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well asperformed sequentially as described above. To the extent there arevariations of the invention, which are within the spirit of thedisclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it isthe intent that this patent will cover those variations as well.Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited bythe specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An air box for an internal combustion engine of avehicle, comprising: a housing for supporting an air filter within aninterior of the housing; a duct for communicating an airstream to theair filter; one or more air inlets to the duct for coupling with airinlet ports of the vehicle; and a conduit for directing the airstreamfrom the air filter to an air intake duct of the engine; and surfacefeatures disposed on one or more of the housing and the duct configuredto provide clearance with nearby components disposed on the engine. 2.The air box of claim 1, wherein the duct includes a longitudinal grooveconfigured to provide clearance for a hood prop when the hood of thevehicle is closed.
 3. The air box of claim 2, wherein the longitudinalgroove includes a latch mechanism configured to retain the hood propwhen the hood of the vehicle is closed.
 4. The air box of claim 1,wherein the edge portion is configured to be coupled with a flat surfaceof an engine control unit, such that the flat surface of the enginecontrol unit encloses the interior.
 5. The air box of claim 4, whereinthe flat surface is configured to be placed into direct contact with theairstream, such that the airstream transfers heat away from the enginecontrol unit.
 6. The air box of claim 4, wherein the edge portion isconfigured to receive a multiplicity of fasteners to attach the enginecontrol unit or the flat panel to the housing.
 7. A method for an airbox for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, comprising: applyinga filter oil composition to an air filter; installing the air filterwithin an interior of a housing of the air box; installing the air boxwithin an engine bay of the vehicle; coupling one or more air inlets ofthe air box with air inlet ports of the vehicle; routing a conduit fromthe air box to an air intake duct of the engine; and fastening a flatsurface of an engine control unit to an edge portion surrounding anopening to the interior of the housing.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein fastening includes disposing a gasket or a seal on the edgeportion.